18320540. Electronic Devices with Optical Self-Injection Loops simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)

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Electronic Devices with Optical Self-Injection Loops

Organization Name

Apple Inc.

Inventor(s)

Ramin Khayatzadeh of Munich (DE)

Nedim Muharemovic of Nuremberg (DE)

Bertram R. Gunzelmann of Koenigsbrunn (DE)

Zdravko Boos of Munich (DE)

Electronic Devices with Optical Self-Injection Loops - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18320540 titled 'Electronic Devices with Optical Self-Injection Loops

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes an electronic device that uses wireless circuitry to transmit radio-frequency signals at frequencies of 100 GHz or higher. This is achieved by generating two optical local oscillator (LO) signals using clocking circuitry. The clocking circuitry includes two lasers, each generating one of the optical LO signals. The device also includes self-injection locking loop paths around each laser to improve performance.

  • The device uses wireless circuitry to transmit high-frequency radio signals.
  • Two optical local oscillator (LO) signals are generated using clocking circuitry.
  • The clocking circuitry includes two lasers, each generating one of the optical LO signals.
  • Self-injection locking loop paths are used to improve performance.
  • The first loop path includes a mixer, an optical reference, and another mixer.
  • The second loop path includes a photodiode, a mixer, and the optical reference.
  • The photodiode provides a radio-frequency signal to the mixers.
  • The optical reference includes an optical delay line or resonator to reduce phase noise of the optical signals used for self-injection locking.

Potential Applications

  • High-frequency wireless communication systems
  • Radar systems
  • Satellite communication systems
  • Terahertz imaging systems

Problems Solved

  • Conveying radio-frequency signals at frequencies of 100 GHz or higher
  • Improving performance and reducing phase noise in wireless communication systems

Benefits

  • Enables high-frequency wireless communication
  • Improved performance and signal quality
  • Reduced phase noise in optical signals


Original Abstract Submitted

An electronic device may include wireless circuitry that conveys radio-frequency signals at frequencies greater than or equal to 100 GHz using first and second optical local oscillator (LO) signals generated by clocking circuitry. The clocking circuitry may include a first laser that generates the first optical LO signal and a second laser that generates the second optical LO signal. First and second self-injection locking loop paths may be coupled around the first and second lasers respectively. The first loop path may include a first mixer, an optical reference, and a second mixer. The second loop path may include a photodiode, the first mixer, and the optical reference. The photodiode may provide a radio-frequency signal to the mixers. The optical reference may include an optical delay line or resonator and may reduce phase noise of optical signals used to self-injection lock the first and second lasers.